Category: Education

Tags: uses of compliment and complement, mistakes with compliment and complement, compliment-complement confused words, examples of compliment, sentences with complement

Compliment and Complement confused and misused words - English Mirror Distinguished Compliment and Complement which are often confused by English speakers. Avoid common mistakes using words with same pronunciation like compliment and complement in English. Compliment Complement ----------------------------- The words, ‘Complement’ and ‘compliment’ are sometimes confused because they are pronounced the same and have very similar spellings. Both function as noun and verb, but are quite distinct in meaning. A 'complement' is something that gives completeness to a thing, or makes whole. As a noun 'compliment' is an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration. As a noun, ‘compliment’ refers to an expression of esteem, admiration or praise. A complement is something that enhances something else or goes well with it. For example, to call someone handsome/beautiful is to pay him/her a compliment, and the verb refers to this action, ie, the paying of a compliment. On the other hand, as a noun, the ‘complement’ of something supplies what that something is missing, ie, completes or perfects it. For example, wine can be said to complement a meal.